Des Morris from East Renfrewshire LA put forward a motion to campaign for an urgent review of the State Pension Age and the economic check within the Scottish Teachers’ Pension Scheme. Morris highlighted the discrepancies between life expectancy trends and the government forecasts used during the 2015 reforms. “No pension money till 68 cost floor not ceiling being breached we need to campaign with fellow trade unionists across Scotland,” Morris argued.

Mike Dolan from West Dumbarton seconded the motion, citing the successful reduction of the pension age for prison officers as an example of effective trade union action. “Changes to pension link can only be done at the UK level and can only be changed by trade union action,” Dolan stated.

The AGM saw a strong push for reducing the unsustainable workload levels faced by teachers. Des Morris (East Renfrewshire) highlighted the overwhelming demands on teachers, particularly in light of the increasing number of learners with Additional Support Needs (ASN). “Workload levels are at unsustainable levels. Glasgow’s poorly thought out proposal to reduce jobs, with 37% of learners having ASN needs, is unacceptable and unsustainable,” Mr Morris stated.

Mick Dolan from West Dunbartonshire seconded the motion, emphasising the core issues that have persisted since 1978, he said, “Core work of preparing and correction are the biggest demands on teachers’ time. Current levels of time for preparation are an absurdity”.

Midlothian delegate Sharon Kidd brought attention to the staggering levels of non-teaching duties expected from teachers. “The levels of expectation on teachers are staggering. We need a focus on the non-teaching duties due to the reduction in support staffing,” Ms Kidd emphasised.

Sandie Gordon from Midlothian seconded the motion, sharing personal experiences of how the lack of support staff impacts teaching. “My time is taken up doing jobs previously done by others. Lack of support staff means parents are needed to make school trips safe,” Ms Gordon stated.

Will Crichton (Midlothian) proposed a motion to investigate the impact of website blocking systems on teaching and learning. “Blocking systems are causing issues with learning and teaching. Processes to get content unblocked hinder planning,” Mr Crichton explained.

The motion was seconded by Phil Alexander, also from Midlothian, highlighting the frustration caused by blocked links. “Frequently being told the links are blocked and a need to change the links on the hoof is frustrating and embarrassing,” Mr Alexander remarked.

Andrene Bamford from East Dunbartonshire local association called for a survey to investigate the expanding role of pastoral care (guidance) teachers. “More and more is being put on the shoulders of those in education. We need a baseline and some evidence. Let’s survey our members,” Ms Bamford urged.

James McIntyre, (East Dunbartonshire), seconded the motion, emphasising the fundamental role of guidance teachers in schools. “Their work is fundamental. Duties are difficult to quantify but are essential in school,” Mr McIntyre stated.

A motion for the restoration of members’ pay to levels established by ‘A Teaching Profession for the 21st Century’ was proposed by Mick Dolan from West Dunbartonshire. He emphasised the long periods of underinvestment and recent economic challenges. “We need to combat the narrative that there is no money. We have a long way to go to match the 2015 agreements,” Mr Dolan asserted.

Des Morris (East Renfrewshire) seconded the motion, reminding members of the importance of continued action. “We must not let up the fight for fair pay,” Mr Morris stated.

Phil Pearce from Edinburgh local association highlighted the challenges faced by supply teachers, calling for full pay from day one of any work undertaken. “Supply teaching is a tough gig. System errors impact on pay. Full day’s pay for a full day’s work,” Mr Pearce argued.

The motion was seconded by Alison Murphy from Edinburgh, who expressed admiration for supply teachers’ resilience. “I am in awe of what our short-term supply teachers do,” Ms Murphy stated.

Alison Murphy, Edinburgh, moves Motion 37 which deals with the provisions in the SNCT handbook dealing with Excepted Pupils. “We all know that we have classes where the number of pupils is higher than it should be,” she says. Motion carries.

Mark Ireland (Midlothian) proposed a motion to ensure adequate cover for long-term absences. “Cover for long-term planned absences is not being provided. Councils are not putting in support or cover for these,” Mr Ireland argued.

In seconding the motion, Sharon Kidd, also from Midlothian, noted the impact on teachers’ non-class contact time. She said, “No external cover is provided, which impacts our non-class contact time”.

Aisling Clark (Argyll & Bute) brought forward a motion to enhance maternity pay and provision for keeping in touch (KIT) days. “Significant challenges around maternity pay undermine gender equality. We must advocate for enhanced maternity pay,” Ms Clark emphasised.

Laura Minto from West Dunbartonshire seconded the motion, highlighting the importance of KIT days. “Keeping in touch days present a win-win situation but are not core funded,” Ms Minto stated.

Maggie Russell (Renfrewshire) proposed a motion to provide paid leave for fertility treatment. “Provisions in the SNCT need to cover fertility treatment,” Ms Russell argued.
Heather Hughes (West Lothian) seconded the motion, sharing her personal experience. “I have lived experience of this,” said Ms Hughes.

During the AGM, the debate on the motion to allow teachers to claim time back in lieu for participating in extra-curricular activities was intense. Gavin Cunningham from South Lanarkshire supported the motion, emphasizing the need to protect contractual time. “It’s about protecting the contract. This needs to be enshrined in the SNCT,” Cunningham stated.

However, there was opposition from Phil Pearce, who expressed concerns about the impact on voluntary activities. “I hate volunteerism. If the motion goes through, my ability to say no is diminished,” Pearce argued. Despite the strong support from some members, the motion did not pass.

The motion to investigate ways to offer more flexibility in teachers’ annual leave sparked a heated discussion. Craig Duffy (Edinburgh) supported the investigation, arguing it was worth exploring potential benefits. “It is an investigation the motion is asking for. It’s worth investigating to see what’s out there,” Mr Duffy stated.

Conversely, Craig MacDonald from Edinburgh opposed the motion, fearing it could undermine existing benefits. “The motion comes from a good place but it’s a bad motion. If you come for my six weeks in the summer, you will have to pry it from my cold dead hands,” Mr MacDonald argued. The motion ultimately did not pass.

The debate on reclassifying Computing Science as a practical subject was robust, with strong arguments on both sides. Susan Quinn from Glasgow opposed the motion, highlighting existing policies. “We have a campaign in place asking for all subjects to be taught in classes of 20. Slow progress at the SNCT,” Quinn stated. The motion did not pass.